When you think about comedy extraordinaireJulia Louis-Dreyfus, what comes to mind? ProbablySeinfeld, where she played the judgmental and bad-at-dancing Elaine Benes, orVeep, where she played the narcissistic and problematic Vice President Selina Meyer. But what about the hidden gem that isThe New Adventures of Old Christine? Created and produced byKari LizerandAndy Ackerman, this hysterical and quick-witted sitcom follows Christine Campbell (Louis-Dreyfus), a very dysfunctional divorced mother doing her best to raise her young son Ritchie (Trevor Gagnon) and balance a dating life.
What’s refreshing about this show is that Christine’s best friend is her ex-husband Richard (Clark Gregg), which creates a unique dynamic ripe for unconventional storylines. Richard’s new girlfriend also happens to be named Christine, leaving the characters to dub Dreyfus’ Christine as “Old" Christine and his new girlfriend played byEmily Rutherfurdas “New" Christine. Christine Campbell lives with her younger brother Matthew (Hamish Linklater), another unusual and fun part of this show, and is regularly being corralled by her other best friend and co-worker Barb (Wanda Sykes).
RELATED:Julia Louis-Dreyfus Reveals the Trick That Kept Her ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Role Under Wraps
The series ran for 5 seasons on CBS and wasabruptly canceledin 2010. There were rumors that the series would be picked up by ABC, but that deal unfortunately never came to fruition. The show was a critical success, and Dreyfus’ outrageous performance earned her a much-deservedEmmyfor Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.
Here’s a character guide toThe New Adventures of Old Christineand what the cast has been up to since.
“Old” Christine Campbell(Julia Louis-Dreyfus)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus shines bright in this series in the titular role of Christine Campbell, a divorced, hyper, scatter-brained mother who is the embodiment of the phrase “just doing her best.” She’s unstable and unpredictable, and that isexactlyhow we like her. When she’s not working at the women’s gym that she co-owns with her best friend and emotional anchor Barb, she’s fending off the highly critical and braggadocious mothers at her son’s school, complaining to her brother and roommate Matthew, or venting to her ex-husband and buddy, Richard. In addition to her expert timing and delivery, the pure brilliance of Louis-Dreyfus’ physical comedy is on full display in this sitcom.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus continues to be one of Hollywood’s busiest actors. Since the series wrapped in 2010, she spearheaded the critically acclaimed HBO seriesVeepfor an impressive seven seasons. She won six Emmys forplayingVeep’s high-maintenance politician Selina Meyer. She recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as villainValentina Allegra de Fontaine, appearing inBlack WidowandThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Some of her upcoming projects includeTuesday,Nicole Holofcener’sBeth and Don, and an untitled comedy project withJonah HillandKenya Barris.
Richard Campbell(Clark Gregg)
Richard is both a hands-on father to Ritchie and ex-husband to Christine. Since his divorce, his friendship with his ex has only gotten stronger, as they continuously keep each other up to date on their new relationships and everyday struggles. Richard’s snarky yet playful personality and strong bond with “Old” Christine is seen as a threat to Richard’s girlfriend which they refer to as “New” Christine. He and “Old” Christine act as each other’s confidantes, though they do both relish anytime the other is stuck in a sticky situation.
Actor Clark Gregg is one of the founding members of the MCU, having debuted as Agent Coulson in 2008’sIron Man, the first official film in the MCU canon. He’s appeared in over 5 Marvel projects, including as the lead in the ABC seriesAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.for 7 seasons. He currently stars as CBS executiveHoward WenkeinBeing the Ricardosand will play Sheriff Ketcher in the seriesFlorida Man.
Matthew Kimble(Hamish Linklater)
Matthew Kimble is Christine’s humdrum and sarcastic younger brother who can typically be found sauntering through the house in a robe and marveling at the latest hijinx Christine’s gotten mixed up in at work, Ritchie’s school, or in her love life. Matthew’s one to talk, however, as he is the most directionless character of the bunch. While Christine pokes fun at him for having “mommy issues,” he continuously reminds her of her age. He attempts (and fails) medical school and switches gears to become a therapist. Over the course of the series, he has many brief and problematic relationships, including one with his patient Lucy (Michaela Watkins).
Since the series ended, Linklater has had recurring roles in series such asThe Good Wife,The Newsroom,The Crazy Ones,Legion, andFargo. He plays the lead character Father Paul in the recent Netflix hit horror drama miniseriesMidnight Massand will star alongsideJulia RobertsandSean Pennin the upcoming seriesGaslitabout the Watergate scandal.
Barb Baran(Wanda Sykes)
One of the only elements of stability in “Old” Christine’s life is her best friend and business partner Barb Baran played by the effortlessly hilariousWanda Sykes. Barb’s often worn down by Christine’s manic energy and (somewhat) harmless schemes. She’s not much more innocent than Christine, though, as she usually caves and gets wrapped up in her friend’s messy situations. Sykes has had recurring roles in series includingBlack-ish,Tig N’ Seek,The Upshaws,Q-Force,The Good Fight, andThe Other Two. She is also one of the best stand-up comedians working today, with recent specials such asWhat Happened…Ms. Sykes?available on Epix andNot Normalon Netflix. She’s set to appear as herself in the seriesLittle FunnyandThrow Mama From the Game Show, and continues to produce comedy specials for up and coming artists.
“New” Christine Hunter(Emily Rutherfurd)
Quite literally the “New” Christine, Christine Hunter is the meek, slightly dumb, and younger girlfriend of Richard. There is an ever-present layer of tension between her and “Old” Christine due to the latter’s comfortable relationship with her ex-husband. She does her best to be an involved and dedicated mother-figure in Ritchie’s life, which irks “Old” Christine. According to IMDb, Emily Rutherfurd hasn’t acted since 2018, though she has appeared in numerous shows includingVeep,The Middle,Grey’s Anatomy, andLast Man Standing.
Marly and Lindsay (Tricia O’Kelley and Alex Kapp)
Tricia O’KelleyandAlex Kappplay Marly and Lindsay, two uptight thorns in Christine Campbell’s side. No matter how hard Christine tries to avoid them during drop off at Ritchie’s school, these two rich and picture-perfect moms are always ready to remind Christine of their wealthy and happy marriages and Christine of her flaws. The last thing the disheveled and disorganized Christine wants is to run into these blonde bullies. There is also a blatant power struggle between the two women, with Marly constantly putting her sidekick Lindsay down in practically every interaction. O’Kelley has since appeared in shows such asA.P. Bio,It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,Good Girls, andSaved by the Bellwhile Kapp has appeared inHappy Endings,Two and a Half Men, andHead of the Classon HBO Max. The two have both been onThe Mickand will star in the upcoming family dramedyHail the Squash.
Ritchie Campbell(Trevor Gagnon)
Ritchie Campbell is the young, wide-eyed son of Christine and Richard Campbell. He bounces from living with his mother and uncle Matthew to spending time with Richard and his “New” Christine. His naive and innocent nature is often both comforting for Christine and concerning for Richard. Trevor Gagnon, who portrayed Ritchie, hasn’t acted since the series wrapped in 2010.
All episodes ofThe New Adventures of Old Christineare available to stream on HBO Max.
